How to Make a Research Poster

Professor Randy Katz

Every poster (and presentation) must answer the following five essential questions (known as the Heilmeier Catecism):

1. What is the problem you are tackling?

2. What is the current state-of-the-art?

3. What is your key make-a-difference concept or technology?

4. What have you already accomplished?

5. What is your plan for success?

A nine-slide poster might look like this--

Problem State-of- Key

Statement the-Art Concept

Accomplishment Title and Visual Accomplishment

Number 1 "Logo" Number 2

Accomplishment Plan for Success Summary &

Number 3 Conclusion

Note: lots of people can identify problems; few come up with a feasible/logical approach to solving the problem--the conceptual breakthrough slide is really the most important part of the five questions (assuming that you have identified a problem that is worth solving and that is not already solved!).

An early stage project, short on accomplishments to date, might focus more on the conceptual/algorithmic/technological elements that convince you have a chance to be successful. A more mature project would have not have to convince the viewer that the approach is promising since you will have many accomplishments. The latter are things like (1) deployment of a testbed, (2) development of a new algorithm, (3) simulations and evaluations, etc.

This schematic is also reasonable for a 15-minute talk.

If your project is part of an overall project, make a single graphic for the overall project that allows each member of the overall project to easily identify the part that s/he plays in the overall project, and to use this as the basis of introducing each of the posters and/or presentations for the overall project.

Return to EECS Undergraduate Research Opportunities.